Geo-spatial Mapping System for Service Cost Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Expanding service network infrastructure to remote areas is costly and often involves manual, time-consuming, and inaccurate assessments of the cost-effectiveness of providing services to potential customers.
Innovation Solution
A Geo-spatial Enterprise Mapping System (GEMS) that utilizes web-based mapping services and service provider databases to calculate the cost of extending services to points of interest, including the use of polylines for fiber spans and markers for customer information, to determine serviceability and profitability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual assessment methods are used to evaluate service expansion costs, then service providers can assess ROI for potential customers, but the process becomes time-consuming and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical field assessment with an automated computer-based system that uses GPS coordinates, mapping services, and database queries to calculate service costs and ROI automatically, eliminating the need for technicians to physically travel to locations and manually measure distances
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing service providers to automatically input customer addresses or upload GPS coordinates, and the system autonomously performs all calculations including distance measurements, cost estimations, and ROI analysis without requiring manual field verification
2Adaptability or versatility
If service providers expand network infrastructure to remote areas, then service coverage increases, but the cost of expansion becomes prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis by automatically calculating service costs and ROI before any infrastructure investment is made, using customer location data and mapping services to estimate expansion costs in advance, allowing service providers to evaluate potential remote area expansions without committing resources
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback through automated ROI calculations that compare potential revenue from new customers against estimated infrastructure costs, enabling service providers to make informed decisions about whether remote area expansions are financially viable before investing
3Measurement precision
If detailed manual analysis is performed for each potential customer location, then accurate ROI calculations can be made, but the complexity and time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate functions into a single integrated automated system that simultaneously performs distance calculations, cost estimations, revenue projections, and ROI analysis by combining mapping services, database queries, and calculation algorithms into one unified process
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves universality by creating a multi-functional platform that can handle various types of service expansions (residential, commercial, remote areas), different service types, and multiple customer locations through a single automated analysis tool that adapts to different scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
A Geo-spatial Enterprise Mapping System (GEMS) application may be utilized for determining a cost associated with providing a service to a point of interest by utilizing data from a web-based mapping service application in conjunction with data from a service provider database. Maps may be utilized with polylines representing fiber and coax spans, and markers to display device, customer, and prospect information to provide a user with a quick overview of a potential profitability of a particular area or point of interest. A proximity of customers and groups of customers to a service provider network may be displayed and visible to a user in an intuitive manner. A serviceability and profitability of potential customers may be determined, as well as locating prospective customers.